April 13, 2012
Arts Education Festival set for April 18-19
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- One reason the annual Arts Education Festival at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is held in so many different places on campus is because so many different things are happening.
Another reason is because the audience for it would not fit in any one of the venues at one time. The event simply attracts too many schoolchildren.
This year, the festival is April 18-19, and presents a whirlwind tour of the arts. Activities begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover events during the two-day festival. Events occur at several places on campus, including Shryock Auditorium, Altgeld Hall, Pulliam Gym, the University Museum, the Student Center Craft Shop and other locations. If there is something specific you’d like to cover, contact Robert DeHoet before the day of the festival at drhoet@siu.edu or at 618/453-5388.
Robert DeHoet, education director for the University Museum, throws this giant arts party every year. The idea, he said, is to “instill creativity and education in children to foster interest in life-long learning.”
He said the arts are a major part of the University’s educational outreach mission.
“It is important to emphasize arts and cultural aspects of education in addition to the science and math components,” he said. “Exposing youth to art through programs such as the Arts Education Festival allows students to explore their creative and curious nature in a way they may not normally get in the classroom.”
Events include campus- and community-based performances. Activities include: music from the Dorians, Banjovi, Loose Gravel, Parsley and Sagebrush, Southern Illinois Children’s Choir, and University ensembles including jazz, chamber music, oboe studio and a string quartet; tours of the Student Center Craft Shop and the University Museum; dance with Ted Thomas, Susan Barnes Dance Studio and Toni Intravia; and hands-on activities in anthropology and art.
Schools attending the Arts Education Festival include: Christopher Elementary School, Cobden Elementary School, Dongola Elementary School, Elverado Intermediate School, General John A. Logan School (Murphysboro), Giant City School (Carbondale), Lewis Elementary School (Carbondale), Longfellow Elementary School (Marion), North Side Primary School (Herrin), Rome Grade School (Dix), St. Mark’s Lutheran School (Steeleville), St. Mary’s School (Chester), Thomas Elementary (Carbondale), Unity Point School (Carbondale), and Vienna Grade School.
Schnucks grocery store in Carbondale donated art materials. DeHoet also thanked Jeanine Wagner and the School of Music at SIU Carbondale, Linda Garlinghouse, who served as volunteer coordinator, and the Department of Public Safety at SIU Carbondale for their help.